E-Update for September 15, 2017
Highlights:
- On September 14, the House voted to pass H.R. 3354, the “Make America Secure and Prosperous Appropriations Act,” by a vote of 211-198.
- On September 14, Ranking Member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Patty Murray (D-WA) introduced H.R.3773/S.1806, the “Child Care for Working Families Act.”
- This week, USED Secretary Betsy DeVos began her “Rethink School” tour in the West and Midwest to “showcase creative ways in which education leaders are meeting the needs of students in K-12 and higher education.” The tour involves visits to a number of different types of schools, including traditional public schools, charter schools, and community colleges, among others.
Budget & Appropriations:
Omnibus Bill Approved by the House: The House voted to pass H.R. 3354, the “Make America Secure and Prosperous Appropriations Act,” by a vote of 211-198. This Omnibus bill combines the remaining House-drafted Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 bills into one bill. The bill as approved includes an overall three percent cut to the U.S. Department of Education (USED) below FY2017 and eliminates professional development funding under Title II. On September 13, the House concluded roll call votes on amendments to the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (Labor/HHS) portion of the bill. Notably, the House agreed to increase funding in the underlying bill for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program by $100 million and to reject a proposal to cut one percent of Labor/HHS funding. As a reminder, the Omnibus bill has only been passed by the House and was only drafted by the House Appropriations Committee. It is important to remember that the Senate is still in the process of developing its own FY2018 appropriations bills. At a later time, it will be necessary for the House and Senate to negotiate to reach a decision on final funding levels for programs if there is to be an end of year agreement on program levels for the U.S. Departments of Labor, HHS, and Education. The passage of the House bill is just one step in the appropriations process. The minority press release is available here. Chairwoman of the House Education and the Workforce Virginia Foxx’s (R-NC) statement is available here.
September 14, 2017
Congress:
Democratic Senators Introduce Comprehensive Child Care and Early Learning Bill: Ranking Member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Patty Murray (D-WA) introduced H.R.3773/S.1806, the “Child Care for Working Families Act.” The bill seeks to make high-quality early learning and care more affordable for families by creating a federal-state partnership to ensure families making less than 150 percent of their state’s median income do not pay more than seven percent of their income on child care. Additionally, the bill would significantly improve wages and training for teachers and caregivers. The House press release is available here.
September 14, 2017
Democratic Members Send Letter Request Reinstatement of Agreements Between USED and CFPB: A group of Democratic members, including Ranking Member of the Senate HELP Committee Patty Murray and Ranking Member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee Bobby Scott, sent a letter to USED Secretary Betsy DeVos asking her to reverse the Secretary’s decision to end operating agreements with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) that allowed for sharing of information to enhance oversight of federal student aid programs, including student loan servicers. In the letter, the members state that the agreements between USED and CFPB are beneficial to students and taxpayers and that USED’s authority to administer federal student loan programs is not exclusive.
September 14, 2017
Democratic Members Introduce Higher Education Bill to Assist Foster and Homeless Youth: Senator Al Franken (D-MN) and Reps. Danny Davis (D-IL) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) introduced H.R. 3742/S.1792, the “Fostering Success in Higher Education Act of 2017,” which provides support for foster youth and homeless youth to be successful in higher education. The bill would provide funding to states to establish and expand initiatives to assist these populations in enrolling in and graduating from college. The bill was introduced as part of the Democratic “Aim Higher” campaign.
September 12, 2017
Bipartisan Bill to Improve Higher Education Access for Homeless Youth Introduced: Rep. Katherine Clark (D-MA), Ranking Member of the Senate HELP Committee Patty Murray (D-WA), and Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) introduced H.R. 3740/S.1795, the “Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act of 2017,” which requires USED to assist homeless and foster youth in answering questions about a student’s independence and ensure that those students are accurately identified, recruited, and prepared by federal programs. The Senate press release is available here.
September 12, 2017
House:
House Ways and Means Committee Approves Extension of Funding for MIECHV Program; House Energy and Commerce Committee Action Delayed: The House Ways and Means Committee approved H.R. 2824, the “Increasing Opportunity and Success for Children and Parents through Evidence-Based Home Visiting Act,” which would reauthorize the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program. Of note, the House Energy and Commerce Committee also has jurisdiction over the program and would need to pass legislation to extend the program. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady’s (R-TX) opening statement is available here and Ranking Member of the Committee Richard Neal’s (D-MA) statement here.
September 14, 2017
Senate:
Senate Agreement on Extension of CHIP Funding Announced: Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR) announced a Senate agreement to extend the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for five years and transition the program to a federal-state partnership while also providing additional protections for low-income children. Ranking Member Wyden’s statement is available here.
September 12, 2017
Administration:
U.S. Department of Education (USED):
USED Makes Award to Support Educators of English Learners: USED’s Office of English Language Acquisition announced the awarding of $20 million to support educators of English learner students through the National Professional Development Program. The funds will support professional development activities to improve instruction of English learners.
September 11, 2017
Government Accountability Office (GAO):
GAO Releases Report on Transferring College Credits: The GAO released an audit titled, “Students Need More Information to Help Reduce Challenges in Transferring College Credits,” which finds that students often lose credits when transferring between institutions due to a lack of information and coordination between institutions. The report provides recommendations to USED, including requiring that institutions post information on their websites regarding schools with which they have transfer agreements. USED declined this suggestion in a response letter to the GAO, but did agree to add general transfer information to USED’s student aid website.
September 13, 2017
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB):
CFPB Releases Report on Bureau’s 2017 Supervisory Activities: CFPB released a report titled, “Supervisory Highlights” which provides a summary of the Bureau’s supervisory activities from January to June 2017, including the supervision of alleged illegal practices concerning private student lenders. Press release and report here.
September 12, 2017
Events:
- On September 19, the Senate HELP Committee will hold a hearing to consider the nomination of Carlos G. Muniz to serve as General Counsel of USED at 10:00 am. More information here.
Publications:
- On September 14, the Institute of Education Sciences’ National Center for Education Statistics released a First Look report titled, “Adult Education and Training: Results from the National Household Education Surveys Program of 2016,” which presents information on adults’ attainment of non-degree credentials and completion of work experience programs. The report is available here.
- On September 12, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) released a data report titled, “Education at a Glance 2017,” which provides information on the state of education across 35 countries. Among other findings, the report finds that in 2015, the U.S. had a preschool enrollment of 66%, in comparison to the OECD average of 87%. However, in 2016, 46% of U.S. adults ages 25 to 64 had a post-secondary degree, in comparison to the OECD average of 36%. The report is available here.
Legislation:
S.1784
A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to improve the determination of cohort default rates and provide for enhanced civil penalties, to ensure personal liability of owners, officers, and executives of institutions of higher education, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT)
S.1792
Fostering Success in Higher Education Act of 2017
A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide formula grants to States to improve higher education opportunities for foster youth and homeless youth, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Al Franken (D-MN)
S.1795
Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act of 2017
A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to improve the financial aid process for homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth.
Sponsor: Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)
S.1801
A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require institutions of higher education to have an independent advocate for campus sexual assault prevention and response.
Sponsor: Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA)
S.1806
Child Care for Working Families Act
A bill to amend the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 and the Head Start Act to promote child care and early learning, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)
H.Res.517
A resolution expressing support for designation of October 2017 as “National Principals Month”.
Sponsor: Rep. Susan Davis (D-CA)
H.R.3716
A bill to award grants to States to establish a Seal of Biliteracy program to recognize high-level student proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in both English and a second language.
Sponsor: Rep. Julia Brownley (D-CA)
H.R.3734
A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require institutions of higher education to have an independent advocate for campus sexual assault prevention and response.
Sponsor: Rep. Susan Davis (D-CA)
H.R.3738
A bill to amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to remove certain limitations with respect to commodity assistance for school breakfast programs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. James McGovern (D-MA)
H.R.3740
Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act of 2017
A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to improve the financial aid process for homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth.
Sponsor: Rep. Katherine Clark (D-MA)
H.R.3742
Fostering Success in Higher Education Act of 2017
A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide formula grants to States to improve higher education opportunities for foster youth and homeless youth, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL)
H.R.3773
Child Care for Working Families Act
A bill to amend the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 and the Head Start Act to promote child care and early learning, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA)